Grass Valley enforces its good neighbor policy

Despite the cleanup effort this home on the 100 block of Maryland Drive is currently uninhabitable, and the doors are locked from the outside. Some neighbors see it as a health hazard, and one nearby property owner is thinking about purchasing the residence to protect his existing investments.

This duplex on the 100 block of Maryland Drive was the scene of an extensive enforcement effort by the Grass Valley Police Department. Before their eviction, the residents were allegedly involved in the use and distribution of narcotics. Excessive amounts of solid waste accumulated inside the residence, in the back yard, and on the balcony.

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The Grass Valley Police Department has made news in recent weeks with a series of high-profile enforcement actions at 322 Buena Vista St., but that is not the only residence on its radar.

That house, and several others like it, have been linked to allegations of drug use and theft — both of which were identified as high-enforcement priorities in this year’s Citizen Attitude Survey conducted by the police department.

“We have a list of residences and other locations throughout the city that have suspected drug trafficking or use going on that are negatively impacting the neighborhoods,” Mayor Dan Miller told The Union.

“We’re going to investigate,” Miller added. “And if it’s true, we’re going to do everything possible to shut down those houses.”

The city’s list is not easy to get on. It requires a pattern of ongoing calls for service from the neighbors.

“It usually involves the trafficking, sale and use of narcotics,” said Grass Valley Police Sgt. Steve Johnson.

“That’s what brings in a constant flow of people and a high volume of calls.”

Taking drugs (and dealers) off the street can have a positive impact. Officers say it reduces related crimes, such as burglary and theft.

But suspects make bail — and when they get out of jail, they go back to the residences in question.

If arresting people isn’t enough, the city can invoke the Responsible Property Owner Ordinance.

“Most people refer to it as the good neighbor policy,” said Det. Jeff Berns, the police department’s point man for problem houses.

“The municipal code spells out that property owners are responsible for their tenants.”

After a single address has received four calls for service in a 12-month period, the Responsible Property Owner Ordinance allows the city to impose $2,000 in fines every time a neighbor calls the cops.

Half for the tenant, half for the owner.

“That gets the owner’s attention,” Berns said.

So far, however, the city says it hasn’t been necessary to impose those fines on a landlord.

Most of the homes on the city’s list are rentals. In many cases, the landlord lives out of town. They may be totally unaware of existing conflicts between their tenant and the neighbors — or the involvement of law enforcement.

Once the landlord finds out about the problems associated with the tenant and the fines that can be imposed against them as a result of those problems, they typically take action.